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Guatemala🇬🇹 | hikesEl CimarrónSinkhole rim, 170 to 200 m drop, guided abseil, gravel climb | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in El Cimarrón
👀 For curious travelershike ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The walk to the rim takes about 45 minutes from the road, so you can see one of Guatemala’s deepest sinkholes before lunch. El Cimarrón is the Hoyo El Cimarrón in Nentón municipality, Huehuetenango, in the northwest of Guatemala, close to the Mexican border. A 2.5 km gravel track climbs about 150 m through forest to viewpoints over a drop of roughly 170 to 200 m, with a flat, green floor far below. Nothing is built up here. Reaching the bottom needs a guided abseil. I still connect the place with the echo: a dropped pebble, then a long silence, then parrots shrieking from the walls. Getting there by public transport is slow and involves transfers. Plan a first day that pays the small fee at La Trinidad, walks up slowly, and spends an hour at the viewpoints.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Guatemala Travel Guide.
Best time to go: November - April
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 kilometers
Total ascent: 150 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 hike in GuatemalaWhat makes this hike worth hiking

El Cimarrón draws backpackers because it is a 170 to 200 m deep sinkhole that almost no one else is standing beside. Most of Huehuetenango’s attention goes to the Cuchumatanes, so you get the rim to yourself, with no railings, kiosks or tour buses. The effort is modest: a 45-minute climb of about 150 m on gravel. That makes it an easy add-on when you are moving through the border region toward Mexico, and the guided abseil to the forested floor gives adrenaline seekers a real reason to stay longer. Costs stay low because the entrance fee is small and paid locally at La Trinidad. Expect to put in some planning on transport, since the area is remote, but that is part of the appeal for people who like places without infrastructure.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Hoyo El Cimarrón Rim Viewpoints: The main sight is the sinkhole itself, about 150 to 170 m across, with sheer walls dropping 170 to 200 m to a flat, forested floor. Different points on the rim give different angles, and the scale only sinks in when you lean out and see the treetops far below.
  2. Guided Abseil to the Floor: The only way down is a rope descent with a local guide. You land in a separate, cool, green world that cannot be seen from above.
  3. Finca La Trinidad: This is where you pay the small entrance fee and start the walk. It is a good place to ask about conditions and guides.
  4. The Gravel Climb: The 2.5 km track gains about 150 m through forest and takes roughly 45 minutes. Birdsong replaces engine noise as you rise.
  5. Laguna Brava: Also in Nentón municipality, this lake makes a quiet second
… read more 👉
  1. Hoyo El Cimarrón Rim Viewpoints: The main sight is the sinkhole itself, about 150 to 170 m across, with sheer walls dropping 170 to 200 m to a flat, forested floor. Different points on the rim give different angles, and the scale only sinks in when you lean out and see the treetops far below.
  2. Guided Abseil to the Floor: The only way down is a rope descent with a local guide. You land in a separate, cool, green world that cannot be seen from above.
  3. Finca La Trinidad: This is where you pay the small entrance fee and start the walk. It is a good place to ask about conditions and guides.
  4. The Gravel Climb: The 2.5 km track gains about 150 m through forest and takes roughly 45 minutes. Birdsong replaces engine noise as you rise.
  5. Laguna Brava: Also in Nentón municipality, this lake makes a quiet second stop for anyone spending extra days in the area.
El Cimarrón is best started with the rim viewpoints, because seeing the drop first tells you whether you want to abseil.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the El Cimarrón

  • Dry Season (November to April): The best window for El Cimarrón, with mostly clear skies and the gravel track firm underfoot. Days reach 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), nights in the highlands drop to 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Guided abseil descents run most reliably now.
  • Rainy Season (May to October): Afternoon downpours turn the track slick and fill the rim with cloud. Temperatures sit around 20 to 27°C (68 to 81°F). The forested floor stays wet, and abseil trips may be called off.
  • Crowds and Prices: Visitors are few year-round. Nothing fluctuates, since the entrance fee at La Trinidad is small and fixed. Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 13 hours.
Arrive early in the dry months so the sinkhole is clear before afternoon cloud rolls in.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: El Cimarrón is about 5 km return, with 2.5 km each way on gravel from the road to the rim.
Duration: About 45 minutes up and 30 to 40 minutes down, plus time at the viewpoints. Allow 2 to 3 hours in total.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The climb is steady, and the rim edges are unprotected.
Starting Point: The trail begins from the road between Finca La Trinidad and Gracias a Dios, about 35 km from Nentón. Public transport is limited, so expect to combine local minibuses or pickups with some walking.
Major Landmarks:
  • Finca La Trinidad: Pay the small entrance fee here.
  • Rim viewpoints:
… read more 👉
Total Distance: El Cimarrón is about 5 km return, with 2.5 km each way on gravel from the road to the rim.
Duration: About 45 minutes up and 30 to 40 minutes down, plus time at the viewpoints. Allow 2 to 3 hours in total.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The climb is steady, and the rim edges are unprotected.
Starting Point: The trail begins from the road between Finca La Trinidad and Gracias a Dios, about 35 km from Nentón. Public transport is limited, so expect to combine local minibuses or pickups with some walking.
Major Landmarks:
  • Finca La Trinidad: Pay the small entrance fee here.
  • Rim viewpoints: Several spots look down into the sinkhole.
  • Sinkhole floor: Reachable only by guided abseil.
Terrain and Scenery: Loose gravel, a steady climb of about 150 m, and then a sudden vertical drop with limestone walls.
Vegetation: Forest covers both the approach and the floor of the sinkhole.
Wildlife: Birds are the most noticeable, especially parrots around the walls. There is no infrastructure, so bring water and food.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in El Cimarrón

The main hazard at El Cimarrón is the rim itself, which drops 170 to 200 m with no railings, signs or barriers. Keep well back from the edge, never lean out for photos, and keep children and dogs close. The 2.5 km gravel walk climbs about 150 m, so carry at least 2 liters of water and wear shoes with real grip, especially after rain when the surface turns slippery. Abseiling to the floor should only be done with a guide and proper rope gear. Do not improvise a descent. There is no infrastructure and no phone help at the rim, so tell someone at La Trinidad when you set out and when you expect to return. Cloud and rain can arrive fast, so bring a light shell.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

The walk to the El Cimarrón rim viewpoints takes about 45 minutes each way, covering 2.5 km of gravel with roughly 150 m of climb. Allow 2 to 3 hours in total with time at the viewpoints. A guided abseil to the sinkhole floor adds several hours. The trailhead sits between Finca La Trinidad and Gracias a Dios, about 35 km from Nentón.
The rim walk at El Cimarrón is easy to moderate, a steady uphill on gravel with about 150 m of climb over 2.5 km. Most reasonably fit hikers manage it in trail shoes. The abseil to the 170 to 200 m deep floor is a different matter and needs a guide, rope gear and a head for heights. Rain makes the track slippery.
Yes, El Cimarrón requires a small entrance fee, paid at La Trinidad before you walk up, so carry some cash. For the rim viewpoints you can walk on your own, since the route is a simple 2.5 km track. The abseil to the floor can only be done with a guide and rope equipment. Arrange it locally in advance through Nentón, about 35 km away.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Guatemalan hikes near El Cimarrón

Explore more nearby:

  • Todos Santos Cuchumatán—La Torre 3,837 m, Mam ridgelines, pine moorland, thin air| 57 km away
  • Tajumulco Volcano—Central America’s highest point, bunchgrass camp, twin craters, Tuichán start| 109 km away
  • Santa María Volcano—Santiaguito dome, Llano del Pinal, steep roots, Xela sunrise| 140 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

El Cimarrón suits curious travelers who enjoy remote places and a good hole in the ground, and it suits climbers most of all. If you have the nerve, I would book the abseil. If heights make you queasy, the rim alone still justifies the trip.

✈️ When did I visit Guatemala?
Guatemala I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Guatemala, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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